NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Memphis Grizzlies re-signed Iranian center Hamed Haddadi, the NBA franchise announced the contract on Saturday.

The 26-year-old native Ahvaz, Iran, has spent the past three seasons with Memphis, averaging 2.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in 86 games.

He is the first Iranian ever to play in the NBA. The 7-foot-2 center led Iran to an 8-1 record at the 2011 FIBA Asian Championship in China, averaging 15.4 points and 11.4 rebounds.